UPY 2025

UPY  Portrait - Commended
'Planktonic Observer'
Mark Tilley

This image came about as much by luck as judgment. We set up a washing line style cross beam from two marker buoys and then dropped the sola 2000 light down on another line from that to create what looked like a spotlight on a stage on a sandy bottom in approximately 11m of water. Windy conditions topside meant the light was gently swinging so we had to time the shots to the arc of the light. I also only shoot whilst freediving so we had our breathe ups and synchronising dives to contend with. This shot happened toward the end of the session when the zooplankton was present in large numbers and created a beautiful effect with the light beam and the reflective mask that Jordan Charles was wearing.

A crazy idea that for once worked !

Judge's comment: The unusual will always stand out and this well lit, strongly composed portrait stood out even further. - Peter Rowlands